Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Transplantation

Our Approach and Expertise

Lung transplantation can prolong and dramatically improve the quality of life for patients with severe end-stage, non-malignant pulmonary disease and no alternative treatment options.

The major center for lung transplantation in the New York tri-state area, the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplantation is one of the oldest in the United States—it was established in 1985, just four years after the first successful combined heart and lung transplantation was ever performed. Over the years, the center has earned a reputation for the depth of its clinical expertise and rigorous commitment to excellence. Studies at the center continue to improve treatment options, prevent or delay the progression of serious lung diseases, and improve the quality of life and survival for patients. These achievements have been most notable in the areas of emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and cystic fibrosis. The center is Medicare approved, and treats both adults and adolescents.

Under the dynamic and collaborative leadership of its surgical and medical directors, both recognized as outstanding specialists in their respective fields, this highly reputable clinical and research center has been further enhanced and expanded. As evidence, its patient survival rates have soared far above the national average.

According to the most recent report issued by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) in June 2014 for the years 2011-2013, one-year patient survival and one-year graft survival in our lung transplant program were both higher than expected at 94%. Our median time to lung transplant was 5.2 months, and 25% of our patients were able to receive a lung transplant within six weeks of being placed on the organ donation wait list.

Coordinated and Comprehensive Pulmonary Care

All lung transplant patients at the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Transplantation receive individualized care reflecting their specific medical, surgical and psychosocial needs — from the moment they begin their first evaluation through their extensive post-transplant follow-up care.

Experts in every medical and surgical specialty relating to lung failure and transplantation participate in the Lung Transplant Center. It draws upon the skills and expertise of not only surgeons, pulmonologists, immunologists and endocrinologists, but also nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physician's assistants, intensive care clinicians, rehabilitation medicine specialists, physical and respiratory therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, nutritionists, and financial counselors. The collaboration among these outstanding clinicians and research scientists leads to optimal patient care. In addition, the patient's referring physicians also continue to participate in the primary pulmonary care of their patients and are kept abreast of all stages of the transplant process via telephone calls or letters from the transplant medical and surgical team.

In addition to lung transplant evaluation, the center's pulmonary specialists provide second opinion consultations for patients with complex lung diseases.

At the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Center for Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplantation's Beverly & Arthur Shorin Comprehensive Outpatient Transplant Center, patients may take advantage of comprehensive follow-up care, including evaluation and follow-up, blood and diagnostic testing, and infusion treatments for special medications. The registration and care process at the Shorin Center is managed with the latest technology to enhance convenience and precision.

The center also works in conjunction with other parts of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital system.